MANCHESTER, Jamaica — The lives of several students within the parish of Manchester were made a little easier a few weeks ago, thanks to the efforts of Friends of Porus (FOP) and Give Back Jamaica Inc (GBJ), through the Kicker’s Club Shoe Drive.

Both entities combined their efforts to raise more than $500,000 which went towards the purchase of much needed school shoes for the students.

The back-to-school Kicker’s Club Shoe Drive is an annual initiative, and it has benefited mostly primary school students. However, this year, a decision was made to include one high school, Porus High.

Vassell Ogilvie, vice president of FOP and board member of GBJ said the decision to include a high school as part of this year’s initiative came about after it was revealed that several students at the Porus High were in need of support.

“After speaking to the Principal of Porus High, Miss Marlene Murray, about the shoe drive, she mentioned that several of her students needed shoes for school. Subsequently, Mr Hopeton Brown, president of GBJ, along with the board members, deliberated and reached a consensus regarding the inclusion of the high school,” Ogilvie told Observer Online.

Ogilvie explained how the idea for the programme came about.

“The birth of this programme came alive by Dr Eve Richardson, founder and CEO (chief executive officer) of Give Back Jamaica. As a child, she recalled not having proper shoes for school. Hence, she started the Kicker’s Club Shoe programme. The first programme was in September 2021 at Crescent Primary School, and since then, thanks to the contributions of several of our donors, we have incorporated many other institutions that have benefited,” said Ogilvie.

Said Ogilvie, “The amount raised for the Friends of Porus contribution was $500,000, and this was funded by the Signature Society, Hudson Valley Dynamic Counselling and other charitable donors.”

Some of the institutions that benefited from the initiative include Porus Primary, Broadleaf Primary, Ramble Primary, Harmons Primary, St Jago Primary, Porus High School, and Castle Primary.

“The Signature Society, a non-profit organisation, has been instrumental for a second year in the continued expansion of the number of schools participating in the Kickers Shoe Drive. Signature Society’s financial help has made it happen.  We are thankful to Mr Sephron Mair, current CEO and president of Signature Society for prioritising FOP in their fundraising efforts. The generous gift of $125,000 enabled us to allow 80 students to participate in Kickers Club Shoe Drive,” Ogilvie disclosed.

Additional donations for the Kicker’s Club Shoe Drive were received from the law offices of Steven F Nesheiwat, ESQ, Maher Fahouric, ESQ, Michael O’Connor, Esq, Jamie Greenwald, Esq, and Hudson Valley Dynamic Counselling PC.